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The official inauguration of Clark Europe’s new West branch took place on April 24, 2026, in Duisburg. With this step, the company, known as the inventor of the forklift, is pursuing a targeted expansion in direct sales. The new premises in the Asterlagen business park are located in close proximity to Clark’s European headquarters and are intended to help better exploit the market potential in the Ruhr area.
Strategic Realignment in Sales
Clark Europe is increasingly focusing on direct sales alongside traditional sales through dealers. Stefan Budweit, President & CEO of Clark Europe, emphasizes: “The opening of the West branch is a clear commitment to our location in Duisburg and an essential step for our growth strategy in Europe.” Direct sales are intended to create closer customer relationships, enabling comprehensive advice directly from the factory and the establishment of long-term partnerships.
The new branch covers a total area of 3,441 m², of which 900 m² is allocated to storage, workshop, and presentation areas. Additionally, 435 m² is available for modern office and meeting rooms. A central element of the site is the integrated research and development center (R&D), which, with an area of 355 m², leverages its proximity to the European headquarters and the international spare parts center to drive technical innovations.
Expansion of Service Offerings
Dirk Blanke, Regional Manager & Western Branch Manager, who leads the West branch, highlights that customers benefit from direct advice from the manufacturer. “We want to not only better understand market requirements but also respond more quickly and specifically,” explains Blanke. The branch offers various services, including test drives, usage analyses, and tailored financing solutions.
Currently, the direct sales team consists of nine employees and five service vehicles. An expansion of the team is already planned to ensure a comprehensive service network in the Ruhr area. Blanke announces: “We want to strengthen our team with 2-3 specialists and 4-5 service technicians.”
Insights into Innovation and Product Range
During the opening ceremony, guests received insights into the new premises as well as into Clark Europe’s European headquarters and international spare parts center. The latter accommodates over 23,000 different items, including parts for third-party brands. Additionally, visitors can view Clark’s current product lines, such as the Crossover series Raider and Renegade, as well as the new electric drives.
The West branch is positioned as a comprehensive service provider, offering not only the sale of new equipment but also an extensive rental fleet. Dirk Blanke explains that used equipment can represent an economical alternative for many companies. Each vehicle returned is carefully inspected and repaired if necessary to ensure high quality.
With the new branch in the heart of the world’s largest inland port, Clark Europe aims to optimize process quality and maximize customer satisfaction.
